CATEGORIES

Swift helps raise UK music sales to new record

UK music sales reached a record high in 2024 thanks to massive streaming and increased vinyl purchases of hits by top artists, notably Taylor Swift, an industry body revealed on Wednesday.

Folk singer Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary dies at 86

American singer and songwriter Peter Yarrow, who found fame with the 1960s folk music trio Peter, Paul and Mary, died on Tuesday at the age of 86, his publicist said.

Raspy-voiced hit machine Rod Stewart turns 80

Singer Rod Stewart, who helped British rock conquer the world with a string of megahits, turns 80 on Friday with no plans to slow down.

UAE banks to remain on stable path this year

UAE banks are on a stable path heading into 2025, reflecting their strong performance deriving from improved asset quality, significant lending growth, and still high profitability, a report said on Thursday.

Sky Force's first song Maaye out

The much-awaited song Maaye from Akshay Kumar's upcoming historical action thriller Sky Force has been re-leased.

Armaan Malik, Aashna Shroff make first public appearance post wedding

Singer Armaan Malik and his wife, influencer Aashna Shroff, were spotted at the Mumbai airport for the first time after their wedding in December last year.

Girish Malik on Band of Maharajas at the Oscars

The Oscars are slotted for a March ceremony this year. A couple of Indian films may be headed to the awards this year, under several categories. Recently, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the \"reminder list\", and it includes the name of director Girish Malik's film Band of Maharajas among several others.

Gold hits four-week peak amid Trump concerns

Gold prices rose to a near four-week high on Thursday, supported by safe-haven demand, while investors weighed how US President-elect Donald Trump's policies would impact the economy and inflation.

Frshar Mail set to redefine secure communication, data privacy

Frshar Mail, an innovative e-mail programme, looks set to redefine secure communication and data privacy by addressing the vulnerabilities that plague mainstream platforms.

Borders Bookstore celebrates inspirational journey of Lord Rami Ranger

Borders Bookstore at Mall of the Emirates hosted an extraordinary book signing event on January 2, 2025, featuring Lord Rami Ranger to celebrate the launch of the revised edition of his inspirational autobiography, From Nothing to Everything. The event was a remarkable success, drawing a large audience of readers, business enthusiasts, and admirers eager to meet the distinguished author.

UAE airports drive air traffic surge in the Middle East

Major international aviation hubs in the Middle East, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Doha, saw a significant increase in traffic demand, supported by the exceptional performance of the region's largest aviation hubs, despite some countries being affected by geopolitical conflicts.

Jumbo Group marks a milestone year with strong growth in business divisions

Jumbo Group, a leading retailer of consumer electronics and technology products in the UAE, concluded 2024 with an impressive performance across its retail, distribution, and enterprise divisions, while celebrating half a century of serving the region under the banner \"50 Years of Trust.\"

Meta move to axe independent fact-checkers sets off alarm bells

This shift could undermine public confidence and make it difficult for users to discern truth from fiction, says expert

UAE fuel prices likely to stay low amid oil glut

Motorists and businesses in the UAE can expect to enjoy lower petrol and diesel prices in 2025 and subdued consumer price inflation as a projected massive oversupply of crude oil could keep energy prices below $70.

Abu Dhabi schools focus on supporting ‘at risk’ students

School heads say some students may be experiencing learning difficulties, identified by educational psychologists, which could be both physical and intellectual

Dh3,000 fine for quadbikes caught on main roads in Ajman

Using recreational motorcycles, tricycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), or quad bikes on main roads and highways in Ajman can get a rider Dh3,000 fine and the vehicle confiscated for 90 days. Anyone caught riding a motorcycle without a driving license will be detained and a case will be filed against them. Not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle will net a Dh500 penalty, plus four black points on the driving licence.

Internal assessments to get more weightage in CBSE board exams

Starting 2025, India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is likely to allocate 40 per cent marks to internal assessments, as part of key changes aimed at reducing academic stress and decreasing reliance on a single high-stakes exam. However, these changes will not affect students in the current batch, who will begin the Central Board of Secondary Education exams on February 15, 2025. Class 10 exams will conclude by March 18, while Class 12 exams will run until April 4, 2025. Practical exams, internal assessments, and project work began on January 1, 2025.

How Sonu Sood brought his 20-year dream to life

The actor opens up about the challenges, rewards, and inspirations behind Fateh, his most ambitious project yet

Army chief Aoun elected as Lebanese president

Lebanon's parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday, filling the vacant presidency with a general who has US support and showing the weakened sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its devastating war with Israel.

Abu Dhabi to allow some firms to hire remote workers from April 1

New employment regulations issued in Abu Dhabi enable companies to hire remote workers and allow for more flexible working arrangements.

Premiums rise 20% but offer dental, mental, health benefits

Dubai residents and companies will have to shell out up to 20 percent more for their health insurance but insurers have added some major benefits such as dental, psychiatric, organ transplant, and dialysis in the new upgraded packages.

Justin’s legal team to hint at Blake’s ‘pattern of bullying’ in countersuit

The legal team of actor and director Justin Baldoni has suggested they will highlight what they describe as a 'pattern of bullying' by actress Blake Lively in their countersuit after she accused Baldoni's team of launching 'attacks' following the lawsuit.

Wicked gets most SAG Awards nominations

Hit musical Wicked topped the nominations on Wednesday for the influential Screen Actors Guild Awards, which are key to Oscars glory, while Golden Globes darling The Brutalist only got one nod and Maria star Angelina Jolie was shut out.

I'm watching our house burn down'

World-famous actors, Wand musicians and celebrities were among the tens of thousands of people affected by terrifying wildfires tearing through Los Angeles on Wednesday.

MKW - My Kind of Weekend

Embrace the weekend with fun-filled activities around the UAE

UAE's first flying taxi station named DXV

The UAE's first commercial vertiport for flying taxis has been named Dubai International Vertiport (DXV), it was announced on Thursday as authorities confirmed the approval of its design.

Rasha Thadani's balancing act

Rasha Thadani, the daughter of actor Raveena Tandon, is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Azaad. The film stars Ajay Devgn and his nephew Aaman Devgan in lead roles.

Malayalam singer P Jayachandran dies at 80

Veteran playback singer P Jayachandran, who captivated the hearts of Malayalis for over six decades, passed away in a private hospital at Thrissur on Thursday, media reports said. He was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Zoya Akhtar, Farah Khan write birthday wishes for Farhan Akhtar

It was filmmaker Farhan Akhtar's birthday on Thursday. His sisters, Zoya Akhtar and Farah Khan, took to Instagram and penned cute wishes for him.

US, Arab mediators make some progress in Gaza peace talks, but no deal yet: Sources

US and Arab mediators have made some progress in their efforts to reach a ceasefire accord between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but not enough to seal a deal, Palestinian sources close to the talks said on Thursday.